The world is watching the NBA Finals, an average of 14.9 million people through two games on ABC and plenty more to come now that the Miami Heat and San Antonio Spurs are tied 1-1 heading into Tuesday's Game 3.

The Los Angeles Lakers are watching, too, but with a perspective all their own.

The slow pace of the Lakers' coaching search that began April 30 when Mike D'Antoni resigned has been timed deliberately with the upcoming free agency period in the NBA, according to a person with knowledge of the situation. Specifically, the idea that the Lakers could beat the odds and land the likes of the Heat's LeBron James, the New York Knicks' Carmelo Anthony or any of the other superstars who may be free agents on July 1 has led the Lakers to plod through their process so as to not limit their potential options. The person spoke to USA TODAY Sports on the condition of anonymity because of the private nature of the search.

But how much allure do the Lakers still have after their 27-55 season that was the franchise's worst since they moved to Los Angeles in 1960? We'll soon find out.